Remarkably Bright Creatures cover art

Remarkably Bright Creatures

‘That Octopus Book’, the international bestseller, now a major Netflix film

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Remarkably Bright Creatures

By: Shelby Van Pelt
Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Michael Urie
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Bloomsbury presents Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, read by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie.

Have you met Marcellus the octopus yet?

**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE
BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK
OVER 29,000 5 STAR REVIEWS
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST BOOKS OF 2022
GLAMOUR BEST BOOKS OF 2022

'Full of heart and humour . . . I loved it.' Ruth Hogan
'Will stay with you for a long time.' Anstey Harris
'I defy you to put it down once you’ve started' Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Ever since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago keeping busy has helped her cope. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who sees everything, but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors – until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late...

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.


'You won’t be able to put it down because when you’re not reading this book you’ll be hugging it.' Jamie Ford
'Truly original and touching' Helen Hoang
'Unique and luminous' Booklist starred review
__________________________
READER REVIEWS
'I couldn't put it down'
'Marvelous, heartwarming, brilliant'
'I enjoyed every second'
'I was gripped from the first page'
'I was completely charmed by this story'©2022 Shelby Van Pelt Animals Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Thriller & Suspense Feel-Good Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

A unique and luminous book
A beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing. Shelby Van Pelt makes good on this wild conceit, somehow making me love a misanthropic octopus, but her writing is so finely tuned that it's a natural element of a larger story about family, about loss and the electricity of something found (Kevin Wilson, author of NOTHING TO SEE HERE)
Remarkably Bright Creatures is the rarest of feats: a book that manages to be wry and wise, charming and surprising, and features one of the most intriguing and satisfying characters I’ve encountered in fiction in a very long time – Marcellus the Octopus. I don’t know how Shelby Van Pelt managed to make this uncommon tale sing so beautifully, but sing it does, and I defy you to put it down once you’ve started (Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of THE NEST)
I usually read non-fiction books, but Remarkably Bright Creatures gave me exactly what I want whenever I pick up a novel. It transported me to a different world, and it illuminated something new for me – in this case, about relationships and getting older. Reading Tova and Marcellus’s story was the perfect way to start my next decade of life. (Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft)
Truly original and touching, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story of family, community, and optimism in spite of darkness. Prepare to fall in love (Helen Hoang, author of THE KISS QUOTIENT)
Shelby’s characters are unique and yet completely relatable ... It is a fresh and fascinating story full of heart and humour and I loved it. (Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things)
A winningly totally original feel-good mystery packed with memorable characters that, once started, demands to be finished
An ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut about what it feels like to have love taken from you, only to find it again in the most unexpected places ... Memorable and tender.
A warm and satisfying book. It wrapped itself around me, luring me into the many mysteries hidden just beneath the surface. (Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child)
Remarkable characters, who will stay with you for a long time. (Anstey Harris, author of The Trials and Triumphs of Grace Atherton)
You’ll bask in this book’s warmth and wit
The best books about grief find a way to illuminate the darkness of loss, and Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a masterclass
All stars
Most relevant
This is a marvellous book for all ages above 13 probably. The octopus connects up the shattered pieces of the lives of a mother who lost her son when he was a teenager and a young man brought up by an aunt with no knowledge of his parents. We learn about the Pacific Giant Octopus, named Marcellus who is a rescue but been an exhibit for most of his life, through his own voice, escapes, collection of treasures, and astute understanding of the humans who visit or work at the aquarium. Their lives are told with poignancy, humour and realism in the main narrative. Definitely a good read and listen. Original and in some ways similar to Navaselva, The Call of the Wild Valley where human and wild species and their stories are interwoven too.

Brilliant Bright Creatures

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If I was to mention I was listening to a story about an octopus and a grief stricken old lady, I do think no one would give this book a chance.
However, it’s so good. The writing is superb. I’ve gasped and cried and held my breath. Marcellus (the octopus) is my new hero! Take a chance on this one please.

Magnificent tale!

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This book held me captivated all the way through. The readers' voices were excellent and the characters were brilliantly portrayed.

such unusual subject

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What a joy of a book. I devoured it in a few days. Beautifully written with likable characters who you wish well. The star of the book is undoubtedly Marcellus. The cheeky octopus who knows more than we could ever give credit. I am so pleased he gets the end he wants. Tova is also an interesting character. The depth of her personality shaped through family tragedy and a community that as she states 'talk too much'.
I couldn't fault the story. It was gentle but had poignant moments. I almost hoped the aquarium scenes would come sooner as the relationship Tova had with the octopus was so special, and amusing. Cameron's story was tragic. The snipits of connection he had with Tova was so wonderful and thoughtfully written, taking into account their ages and personalities.
I absolutely recommend this book.

Marcellus the marvel.

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A very enjoyable listen with an unusual character at its heart. I was engaged. Loved it ❤

A story with a different twist

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